What is a Speaker Agreement Review?
A speaker agreement is a contract between an event organizer and a guest speaker they’ve hired for an event. It must be clear to provide clarity over exactly what the speaker’s obligations are and how they will be compensated.
If you have a speaker agreement to review, you might wonder how to navigate the process to ensure all its terms are clear.
Read the rest of this article to explore key terms to review in a speaker agreement, how to review it, and when to consult a lawyer for help with the review process.
What are Terms to Review in a Speaker Agreement?
A speaker agreement usually contains key terms that you should review, such as the following:
- Event information. The event the guest speaker will attend must be detailed. Check that the agreement specifies the event date, time, location, and duration.
- Scope. The guest speaker’s duties must be specified, such as what content guidelines they must follow when preparing their speech or presentation.
- Compensation. How and when the speaker will be compensated must be detailed to prevent challenges.
- Changes. If any changes are required, the agreement must provide information for how they will be approved and executed.
- Cancellations. If the event is cancelled, the agreement must provide clear guidelines for how to deal with it, such as if penalties apply and in what situations.
What are Additional Tips for Reviewing a Speaker Agreement?
When reviewing a speaker agreement, you should read through every clause to ensure you understand your obligations and have clarity about the event process.
Consider Content Approval Provisions
Approving the speech prior to the event is an additional provision to include in the speaker agreement. Check that there’s a timeline in which outlines should be provided to the event organizer and how long they have to review it.
Check Intellectual Property (IP) Rules
Since the agreement involves content, you should specify which party owns it after the event has occurred. There might be additional uses for it, such as if the event organizer wants to use the speech for promotional purposes. These must be clearly defined and agreed on by both parties.
Clarify the Speaker’s Scope
The agreement should include clear pre- and post-event requirements that the speaker must meet, such as attending a rehearsal before the event or attending meet and greets afterward. By specifying these activities upfront, you prevent the risk of misunderstandings between parties.
Scrutinize Costs
There might be costs involved in the agreement, such as travel expenses. Your agreement should state how they will be paid and which party is responsible for paying them.
Confirm Event Cancellation Terms
To protect your interests, consider what happens if the event is cancelled. Check the agreement for clarity about refunds and force majeure provisions.
Do You Need to Hire a Lawyer to Review a Speaker Agreement?
It’s not always easy to know how to review a speaker agreement, especially if it’s filled with vague or confusing wording. This can make it challenging to accept its terms and doing so can put you at hidden risk.
Hiring a lawyer to review your speaker agreement is beneficial in various ways, such as because they’ll:
- Review the engagement scope so that it’s clear exactly what the speaker will provide and any additional activities required, such as attending rehearsals.
- Check that the payment terms are fair and clearly defined. For example, a lawyer will check that the speaking fee and payment deadlines are accurate to prevent disputes.
- Examine all agreement cancellation provisions. They’ll include how to handle rescheduling events.
- Check intellectual property rights to determine which party owns the presentation and other IP.
- Evaluate all restrictions. A lawyer will identify any restrictions on the speaker, such as if they’re not permitted to appear at competing events.
- Assess liability and indemnification. They’ll verify which party is responsible for any losses, claims, or disputes.
- Flag any unfair terms in the agreement. A lawyer will spot provisions that could put you at risk.
- Revise any vague or potentially risky terms. This ensures a professional agreement that’s clear and specific.
Where to Find a Lawyer for a Speaker Agreement Review
If you need to find and hire a lawyer to help you review a speaker agreement, you don’t have to take lots of time to try to find one. By using an online legal platform, you can easily access a network of qualified lawyers who are experienced to help you from the comfort of your home.
ContractsCounsel is one of the largest online legal marketplaces that enables you to gain access to a curated network of vetted lawyers. Since all the lawyers on the platform have years of experience in contract drafting and review, they can ensure your agreement is legally sound.
Here are the steps to follow if you want to hire a lawyer to review your speaker agreement.
- Go to the ContractsCounsel marketplace.
- Post your project for free. Include a few details to help you find the most suitable lawyer, such as the event the speaker will attend.
- Wait to receive bids. You’ll receive multiple bids from lawyers on the platform who are ready to work with you.
- Review the lawyers’ information. Before selecting a lawyer to hire, you can go through the platform’s lawyer data, such as their location, client ratings for previous projects, expertise, and credentials.
- Connect with a lawyer you think is best suited to your requirements and hire them to review your speaker agreement for a flat fee.
